MIPTV: Endemol Signs TV First-Look Deal With Origin Pictures

London-based Origin produced the Oscar-nominated "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom."

Independent TV production giant Endemol has signed an exclusive first-look deal with London-based film and TV producer Origin Pictures, producers of the Oscar-nominated biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

The drama development and distribution partnership will see the two companies jointly develop and finance a slate of TV drama series for the U.K. and international markets, with Endemol Worldwide Distribution (EWD) handling world sales on the projects.

The three-year deal follows the successful collaboration between the two companies on hit BBC mini-series Death Comes to Pemberley, which Orgin produced and EWD launched at international TV sales market MIPCOM last year. Endemol said the deal will take effect later this month.

Origin, set up by former BBC Films chief David Thompson in 2008 after he exited the public broadcaster's standalone movie-making arm, boasts a slew of TV and film output including Freefall starring Dominic Cooper, BAFTA-nominated miniseries The Crimson Petal and the White starring Romola Garai, Chris O’Dowd, Gillian Anderson and Richard E. Grant and the upcoming BBC1 miniseries Jamaica Inn starring Jessica Brown Findlay and Matthew McNulty.

Jamaica Inn will be distributed by Fremantle Media Enterprises at MIPTV in Cannes next week.

EWD CEO Cathy Payne said: "We have really enjoyed working with Origin Pictures on Death Comes to Pemberley and are looking forward to cementing our future relationship with this three year commitment. EWD cannot wait to bring Origin’s exciting new ideas and ambitions to the international marketplace."

Thompson added: "Endemol is such a dynamic company with a great track record, and we have very much enjoyed getting to know Cathy and her team. We feel certain that Origin has found a fantastic creative and commercial home as we move forward with our ambitious plans."